BIG PINE KEY, Florida (AP) — Hundreds of divers and snorkelers listened to an underwater concert on Saturday advocating for the protection of coral reefs in the Florida Keys.
Also highlighting environmentally conscious diving, the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival took place at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, about 6 miles south of Big Pine Key.
Established in 1990, the reserve protects 3,800 square miles (9,800 square kilometers) of water, including the barrier reef that runs parallel to the 125-mile chain of islands.
Participants swam among the colorful marine life and coral formations of Looe Key while listening to water-themed music broadcast from a local radio station. The music was played underwater through waterproof loudspeakers suspended under boats above the reef.
The oceanic playlist featured the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,” Jimmy Buffett’s “Finnish,” and the theme from “The Little Mermaid.”
Tunes were interspersed with awareness messages from divers about ways to minimize the environmental impact on the world’s coral reefs, whose rich biodiversity has led them to be dubbed the rainforests of the sea.
While the primary purpose of the festival was to encourage reef conservation, it also provided a unique underwater experience. “Mermaids” and other costumed characters added unique visual elements to the aural offerings on part of the United States’ only living coral reef.
The four-hour musical event was hosted by local radio station 104.1 FM and the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce.